India tour of England 2018

[ParkedTheBus]

The gulf in quality between India and England is ridiculous. The latter, arguably the 2nd best team in the world, is far behind in terms of depth and versatility. India lost yesterday due to some stupid decisions like Rohit's and Pandya's dismissals and some freak catches such as the one that dismissed Rahul. The lack of a high class spinner threatens to become a massive problem for England as the series progresses.

All this makes England's decision to cede home advantage even more mysterious. Don't understand why they would agree to a series this late in the summer when pitches have flattened out and aren't conducive to seam bowling anymore. Had they played the test series in June, they would've had a real chance of beating India but at this point over 5 games, India are well and truly the favourites.

 

[abhi_jacko]

The gulf in quality between India and England is ridiculous. The latter, arguably the 2nd best team in the world, is far behind in terms of depth and versatility. India lost yesterday due to some stupid decisions like Rohit's and Pandya's dismissals and some freak catches such as the one that dismissed Rahul. The lack of a high class spinner threatens to become a massive problem for England as the series progresses.

All this makes England's decision to cede home advantage even more mysterious. Don't understand why they would agree to a series this late in the summer when pitches have flattened out and aren't conducive to seam bowling anymore. Had they played the test series in June, they would've had a real chance of beating India but at this point over 5 games, India are well and truly the favourites.

Nice reverse jinxing there. If not, then this assessment is ridiculous. India handed a massive defeat to England and England returned the favor in the next game. How on earth is there any gulf in quality. The teams have different strengths and weaknesses. That's all.

 

[abhi_jacko]

Unfair to judge MSD 2.0 on one performance, but I feel like the whole MSD 2.0 was to good to be true to begin with. There were moments of brilliance by MSD 2.0 during the IPL where he was able to smash the ball around like the old days but there were other games where he struggled to pick up the pace but was shielded by an adept middle/lower order

This is not the case in the current team. He is expected to lead the charge but I don't think he is capable of it. This happened to Sachin as well towards the end where he was no longer able to play attacking cricket in ODIs like his prime days, but the team had a need for someone who could anchor the innings and he blended there. Here we already have Kohli playing that role. No one has a better understanding of chasing a target or setting a target than Kohli from a batting perspective.

So a non attacking Dhoni is quite counter productive in today's game. He is in the Rahane mould now. Even when the momentum is rocking, he will take time to rev up and get going. And if the team requires a partnership, he can provide that but I don't think he will be able to change gears effortlessly as he could during his prime

DK would actually provide better balance to our team. He has shown that he can be capable finisher and can play with the tailenders.

But out biggest problem is still an abnormally long tail. 4 non batters is too much. During our previous odi winning streak, we had sachin, ganguly, sehwag, yuvi as part timers with dravid keeping which enabled us to play 3 specialist bowlers instead of 4. And even in that Bhajji could smash a few runs consistently. Wish Rohit, Kohli and Raina could have developed their bowling a bit more.

 

[LiveLoveABD]

I think time has come to try a few things. I feel K Pandya needs a look in for Raina. I feel we need to play 3 proper quicks with Kuldeep as the only wrist spinner. If India have one bit of common sense they'll play Dhoni @ no lower than 5. Give him time to launch. I think yesterday was a good opportunity to unleash Hardik against Moeen and Rashid. That's where the game was lost.

I know I'm going to get hammered for this but I'd have Rahul at the top with Rohit and DK comes into the XI. DK is just too good to be left out.. The best part about him is that he can provide sense and strength at the death. I know it's harsh on Dhawan but it's about finding the best combinations.

 

[Bhumi]

James Vince called for tomorrow's game.

 

[SaiSrini]

Gautam Gambhir has made an outlandish suggestion to bring Ashwin back at No. 4 in place of Raina. I mean, is he (Gambhir) high or what? Why would you want to replace a specialist batsman with a bits and pieces cricketer, who is not fast scoring enough for limited overs level? Ashwin is a good test batsman who can score a hundred here and there. But to make him the No. 4 in ODI's is laughable.

To be honest, the emergence of Kuldeep and Chahal at the same time has unfortunately imbalanced our bowling attack (as in forcing us to pick both) and our lower order batting. We though Hardik Pandya's rise as an allrounder would provide the team with that much needed balance. But this leggie duo have more than canceled that benefit out. And Pandya's inconsistent bowling means that he is not really fit to be handling the third seamer duties. When Ashwin and Jadeja were the prime spinners in ODI's, their batting down the order (even if they were not consistent) gave us enough hope and more importantly, gave our middle order to confidence to take slightly more risks.

India have a lot of work to do before they enter the showpiece event next year

 

[LiveLoveABD]

Gautam Gambhir has made an outlandish suggestion to bring Ashwin back at No. 4 in place of Raina. I mean, is he (Gambhir) high or what? Why would you want to replace a specialist batsman with a bits and pieces cricketer, who is not fast scoring enough for limited overs level? Ashwin is a good test batsman who can score a hundred here and there. But to make him the No. 4 in ODI's is laughable.

To be honest, the emergence of Kuldeep and Chahal at the same time has unfortunately imbalanced our bowling attack (as in forcing us to pick both) and our lower order batting. We though Hardik Pandya's rise as an allrounder would provide the team with that much needed balance. But this leggie duo have more than canceled that benefit out. And Pandya's inconsistent bowling means that he is not really fit to be handling the third seamer duties. When Ashwin and Jadeja were the prime spinners in ODI's, their batting down the order (even if they were not consistent) gave us enough hope and more importantly, gave our middle order to confidence to take slightly more risks.

India have a lot of work to do before they enter the showpiece event next year

The entire problem lies with the pathetic lust of playing the extra batsman and not promoting Dhoni. It's the main reason why we cannot play another all rounder. In my opinion, Chahal is doing a fabulous job but second to Kuldeep. The two wristies make our death bowling, bowling up top and fifth bowler bowl certain overs of the innings and make them predictable. This is magnified because of the unimaginative captaincy.

What we truly need to do is NOT play one of the three openers. KL Rahul is being wasted. A blind man will tell you the destruction he can cause up top. Rohit in my view, is the most adaptable now to bat in the middle. If he doesn't want that, I would make the bold call of having Dhawan in the squad but not in the XI. You have to nail the combination, not please individuals. I get what Gambhir is trying to do with Ashwin at 4. He's not choosing the right guy for the job, but his idea is bang on. I'll tell you how-

KL Rahul
R Sharma
V Kohli
MS Dhoni
K Pandya
H Pandya
D Karthik
B Kumar
K Yadav
U Yadav
J Bumrah

S Raina
Y Chahal
S Kaul
S Dhawan


The above would be my squad. I don't mind Raina/K Pandya swapping, but I think Krunal deserves a run. Dhoni and Hardik bat too low at the moment. I think the Pandya's sharing 5th bowler duties renders enough protection to the bowling unit and Kohli. Karthik is the absolute ideal guy at 6/7. The guy can bat anywhere and he can float for me. He can finish, bat with the tail, bat at 4. He's the key guy for me. I don't think him and Raina are even in competition for the spot. DK is too versatile for me to miss out on the XI.

 

[asprin]

The boo-ing from the crowd was downright disgusting. It's never a trait of a true cricket fan and it's unfortunate that we got to see that at a place/country where the crowds are known for being fair and appreciative. I could never understand the motive behind it.

 

[aditya123]

Do we have the guts to make Dhoni sit out the final ODI and get both Karthik and Iyer play in the XI in place of Dhoni/Raina? Even if Dhoni is a certainty for WC2019, this failed chase story keeps repeating itself time and again. When was the last time Dhoni set up a run chase or finished one for India? When was the last time we won a game on the back of a Dhoni innings? You can count these instances in one hand. If we want Dhoni to play in the 2019 WC team, there is no harm dropping him for the final game and let him hurt a little. He is`nt bigger than the game. Not when we have two guys in really good form just sitting out because the team management consisting of a man high on weed thinks he is undroppable.

 

[Bhumi]

Do we have the guts to make Dhoni sit out the final ODI and get both Karthik and Iyer play in the XI in place of Dhoni/Raina? Even if Dhoni is a certainty for WC2019, this failed chase story keeps repeating itself time and again. When was the last time Dhoni set up a run chase or finished one for India? When was the last time we won a game on the back of a Dhoni innings? You can count these instances in one hand. If we want Dhoni to play in the 2019 WC team, there is no harm dropping him for the final game and let him hurt a little. He is`nt bigger than the game. Not when we have two guys in really good form just sitting out because the team management consisting of a man high on weed thinks he is undroppable.

No sir
No change need unless Bhuvi walks in for Feeble Kaul

 

[abhi_jacko]

Do we have the guts to make Dhoni sit out the final ODI and get both Karthik and Iyer play in the XI in place of Dhoni/Raina? Even if Dhoni is a certainty for WC2019, this failed chase story keeps repeating itself time and again. When was the last time Dhoni set up a run chase or finished one for India? When was the last time we won a game on the back of a Dhoni innings? You can count these instances in one hand. If we want Dhoni to play in the 2019 WC team, there is no harm dropping him for the final game and let him hurt a little. He is`nt bigger than the game. Not when we have two guys in really good form just sitting out because the team management consisting of a man high on weed thinks he is undroppable.

This is one of the main problems. I have utmost love and respect for MSD (1.0 or 2.0 or whatever) and I will fight anyone who calls him a selfish player. The people booing him in the last match are pathetic.

But its hard to get blinded by the respect/love I have for MSD. His inclusion is messing up the balance completely. I totally agree when people say that he cannot be player below no.4. But even then he is not the ideal guy for this position considering how strong our top order is. That brings us to the point of what purpose is MSD serving exactly:

• Can he be a finisher? NO
• Is he the best no.4 we have in the squad? NO
• Is he the best wicket keeper we have in the squad? ARGUABLY YES. DK is not far behind
• Does he bring immense experience in pressure situations? DEFINITE YES, but not when he himself has to bat in such situations

I feel like his contribution is very limited, and for a team looking to dominate world cricket such a player, as great as he may be is a major liability

My ideal XI with the current squad would be:

1. S Dhawan
2. R Sharma
3. V Kohli
4. KL Rahul
5. D Karthik
6. S Raina
7. H Pandya
8. B Kumar
9. U Yadav / Y Chahal / A Patel
10. K Yadav
11. J Bumrah

I would give Axar Patel a shot again. Krunal needs to be tried as an alternate to Raina

 

[Bhumi]

BCCi need to think seriously about Iyer for test matches (his selection is past due) probably DK will play in England in test matches as specialist keeper.

 

[Bhumi]

This is one of the main problems. I have utmost love and respect for MSD (1.0 or 2.0 or whatever) and I will fight anyone who calls him a selfish player. The people booing him in the last match are pathetic.

But its hard to get blinded by the respect/love I have for MSD. His inclusion is messing up the balance completely. I totally agree when people say that he cannot be player below no.4. But even then he is not the ideal guy for this position considering how strong our top order is. That brings us to the point of what purpose is MSD serving exactly:

• Can he be a finisher? NO
• Is he the best no.4 we have in the squad? NO
• Is he the best wicket keeper we have in the squad? ARGUABLY YES. DK is not far behind
• Does he bring immense experience in pressure situations? DEFINITE YES, but not when he himself has to bat in such situations

I feel like his contribution is very limited, and for a team looking to dominate world cricket such a player, as great as he may be is a major liability

My ideal XI with the current squad would be:

1. S Dhawan
2. R Sharma
3. V Kohli
4. KL Rahul
5. D Karthik
6. S Raina
7. H Pandya
8. B Kumar
9. U Yadav / Y Chahal / A Patel
10. K Yadav
11. J Bumrah

I would give Axar Patel a shot again. Krunal needs to be tried as an alternate to Raina

K pandya for raina? No way.

 

[abhi_jacko]

K pandya for raina? No way.

Why not? Krunal can probably offer more as a bowler and has shown his prowess as a lower middle order batsman with MI. He needs to be given opportunities

Raina just hasn't fired as required

 

[El Loco]

Any ideas what that instrument was that one of the umpires was wearing on their arm for the last game?